Over the weekend an outbreak of violent storms and tornadoes impacted communities from Texas to Iowa with some communities suffering catastrophic damage.  At least 5 people lost their lives and thousands are in the process of sifting through debris and recovering.

Please join us in praying for all that were impacted and those lending aid.  A few ways to pray:

• We pray for God to be close to the broken hearted and discouraged.
• We pray for relief efforts to help those who are suffering loss.
• We pray for protection over these communities as they work to recover.
• We pray for strength for local churches in these areas who are ministering to their communities while also suffering losses

Samaritans Purse has teams on the ground and disaster relief units heading to lend aid.  Opportunities to volunteer and lend support can be found at their website.

Mennonite Disaster Services is currently gathering information on where there might be needs for MDS volunteers.  Your donation can be made online – please select “2024 Spring Tornadoes” in the drop-down box. You may also send a check to Mennonite Disaster Service, 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 and enter “2024 Spring Tornadoes” as the designation.

We will provide additional information on other relief opportunities as information is provided to us.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in John 6, verse 40.

Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

The Gospel draws us to faith in Jesus. Eternal life is a priceless treasure of God’s saving grace. Having this gift does not mean the absence of physical death, but rather a resurrected life beyond the grave. The Apostle Paul saw death has a promotion into the presence of God.

In Philippians 1:21, he said “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Forever is a long time. Heaven awaits the gathering of the saints in a place of peace and celebration in the presence of the Lord. God has made a way for us to be there, and His name is Jesus.

The gift of eternal life reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Psalm 145, verses 1 to 4.

“I will exalt you, my God and King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

The name of Jesus remains the name above all names from generation to generation. His ministry on earth changed lives through preaching, healing, and disciple-making. His sacrifice is remembered for the forgiveness of sins. His resurrection from the dead is celebrated with hope among His followers. His promise to return is anticipated among those who love Him. His grace is still transforming lives today, bringing people into God’s Kingdom. The fruit of His Gospel continues to spread around the world as we declare the good news of God’s love.

The Mighty Acts of God reveal the goodness of God and are reasons to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in John 8:36.

Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

There are five freedoms found in the first amendment of the Constitution: Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government.

However, Jesus is pointing out an even greater freedom than these-freedom from sin and freedom in Christ. Following Jesus is the pathway to real and lasting freedom. We can experience peace with God, joy in His love, and worship in His presence.

This freedom becomes our experience when we hold to the teachings of Jesus and follow the truth of what He taught us. His words are given to bless us, direct our lives in God’s will, and build our faith.

The freedom offered by Jesus reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Second Samuel 7:22.

“How great are you, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

This was a prayer from the heart of David, acknowledging that God has no rival to His throne. No one else is worthy to share His glory.  He cannot be outwitted or overpowered. Who can fathom His greatness? Who can comprehend His graciousness?  Who can understand the magnitude of His love? His redemption plan covers His people with grace forever.

David marveled at the great and awesome wonders that God performed for his people. Just as God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt in the days of Moses, so He is able to deliver us from slavery to sin today. Just as God guided the Israelites to the Promised Land, so He is able to lead us to heaven where we can enjoy His presence forever.

The greatness of God reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Mark 1:17.

Jesus said to Simon and his brother Andrew as they were casting a net into the lake, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.

Jesus was inviting these two men into a new way of life that involved following Him. For Simon and Andrew, following Jesus turned them from fishermen into evangelists. Their witness for Jesus would convince others to follow Jesus too.

Following Jesus may lead us to a career change, but then again, maybe not. What is important about accepting His invitation is that we are coming into a relationship with Jesus that gives us peace with God and a higher purpose.  So, when Jesus comes to us and says, “Follow me”, that is a good time to heed the call.

The invitation of Jesus reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Hi!

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Hebrews 7:26 and 27.

Speaking of Jesus, “Such a high priest truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”

In the Old Testament, the high priest offered animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. This system was in place until the time of Christ. But according to Hebrews 10:4, it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Where the blood of bulls and goats failed, the blood of Jesus prevailed. His sacrifice was enough to cleanse us from sin. Hebrews 9:26 says that He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

The Sacrifice of Jesus reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Isaiah 55, verses 10 and 11.

This is what the LORD says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth, and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

God is referring to the rain cycle to highlight the refreshment of God’s Word for us. Just as rain brings nourishment to the ground, so God’s Word brings nourishment to our heart. Just as rain is vital to the growth of the crops, so God’s Word is vital to our spiritual growth in the grace of God.

The nourishment of God’s Word reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in Jeremiah 15:16.

The prophet Jeremiah said this to the LORD, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.”

Jeremiah took great delight in feeding on the words that God spoke to him. Every day is an opportunity for us to fill up on God’s Word and to draw nourishment by the expressions of God’s love written there. The Bible is reliable for building our faith so that we thrive for God’s glory.

The writer of Psalm 1 described the person who delighted in the law of the LORD as blessed. He said “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.”

The fulfillment of God’s Word reveals the Goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com